Lee County Supervisors Questioned Over Data Center Site Work Amid Moratorium
A data center project near Fort Madison, Iowa, is conducting site work despite a county-wide moratorium. Residents raised concerns with the Lee County Board of Supervisors, who confirmed the moratorium and stated a cease-and-desist letter is in effect. The county is also working on a new ordinance to regulate future data center developments.
A data center project located just outside Fort Madison, Iowa, in Lee County, continues site preparation work despite an active county-wide moratorium on such construction. During a recent Lee County Board of Supervisors meeting, local resident Ted Stein questioned the ongoing earth-moving activities at the "Burlington Hill" site, owned by Dustin Wolgemuth. Stein expressed skepticism about Wolgemuth's stated intent to pivot from a data center to another type of development, noting previous plans for a Bitcoin mining facility and its significant energy requirements.
Supervisors Chuck Holmes and Garry Seyb reiterated that the county's data center construction moratorium remains in effect for up to a year. They confirmed that a cease-and-desist letter issued by Lee County Attorney Ross Braden prevents the project's construction in accordance with the moratorium.
The Board of Supervisors also revealed that they have contracted with the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission (SEIRPC) and the BrownWinick Law Firm of Des Moines to draft a new ordinance for regulating data center projects in unincorporated areas of the county. Board Chair Ginger Knisley stated the goal is to pass these regulations by November, aiming for technological development that is "clean and doesn't have a negative impact on the community," a sentiment echoed by Stein who also highlighted concerns about property rights and environmental impact.